Today's materialistic science is dominated by the view that everything we see today originated in the Big Bang, when space and time came into existence and the laws of the universe were set. According to mainstream scientists, there was no guiding intelligence behind this event. The laws of nature that just so happen to allow for the formation of stars, galaxies, planets, and ultimately life, are all accidental properties forged during the Big Bang billions of years ago. All matter and energy by nature is unconscious and unintelligent.

Two views about life and consciousness arise from this line of thinking. The first is that all life evolved more or less by accident, via random interaction of chemicals and biological materials and selection for survival. The other is that consciousness is not fundamental to reality, but a secondary phenomenon arising from a certain complexity of brain and nervous system function. Therefore, our seemingly intelligent minds that we operate with on a daily basis are ultimately the result of a plethora of unconscious, unintelligent processes in the brain.

The first view that life arose and evolved through random mutation and selection is being undermined today by the specified complexity of information contained within DNA, as well as the intricate, coherent, and interdependent inner workings that we now find within all living cells. The second view that consciousness arises from, or is reducible to, brain function is being undermined by the evidence from Near-Death Experiences that consciousness can still function, and indeed shows enhanced functioning, when brain activity is miniscule or absent altogether.

I will start by exploring these new findings and the conclusions they point to, while showing how both lines of inquiry lead to the same expanded view of reality, namely that intelligent consciousness underpins the material world.

Next, I will show how the underlying Source Consciousness of the universe is experienced by people in various situations, including spontaneously, during UFO abductions, Near Death Experiences (NDE's), and during usage of psychedelic substances.

Finally, I will go through five points of knowledge that this new understanding of reality gives. Specifically, I will show how the various areas of paranormal research converge upon the same knowledge concerning life and reality.

It is due time to replace the current understanding of life and reality as touted by today's mainstream academia. We must come to a new, truer understanding of reality. We need a view that can incorporate the findings from modern day paranormal research. This is pertinent for the advancement of knowledge and the continuing progression of society, not just scientifically but also spiritually.